U.S. Department of Labor | August 6, 2015
Breakthrough in long-sought change
follows joint industry-labor request
WASHINGTON – The
federal government is proposing a new standard that would dramatically lower workplace
exposure to beryllium, a widely used material that can cause devastating lung
diseases. The proposal would apply to an estimated 35,000 workers covered by
the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“This proposal will save lives and help thousands of workers
stay healthy and be more productive on the job,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor
Thomas E. Perez. “We’re pleased that industry has been such a strong voice in
advocating for a more rigorous standard. The proposal is strong because of
unprecedented partnership between manufacturers and the United Steelworkers.”
Currently, OSHA’s eight-hour permissible exposure limit for
beryllium is 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Above that level, employers
must take steps to reduce the airborne concentration of beryllium. That standard
was originally established in 1948 by the Atomic Energy Commission and adopted
by OSHA in 1971. OSHA’s proposed standard would reduce the eight-hour
permissible exposure limit to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. The proposed rule
would also require additional protections, including personal protective
equipment, medical exams, other medical surveillance and training.
The 1971 limit significantly reduced fatalities due to acute
beryllium disease but, over time, it became clear that exposure below that limit
also had damaging long-term health effects. OSHA initially proposed to lower
the permissible exposure limit for beryllium in 1975.
The need for a new standard was recognized by the nation’s
primary beryllium product manufacturer, Materion, and the United Steelworkers,
the union representing many of those who work with beryllium. Together, they
approached OSHA in 2012 to suggest a stronger standard.
“This collaboration of industry and labor presents a
historic opportunity to protect the lives and lungs of thousands of
beryllium-exposed workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “We hope other industries where workers
are exposed to deadly substances join with unions and other organizations representing
those workers to reduce exposures, prevent diseases and save lives.”
OSHA estimates that the rule could prevent almost 100 deaths
and 50 serious illnesses each year. Workers who inhale beryllium particles can
develop a debilitating, incurable illness known as chronic beryllium disease,
and are also at increased risk of lung cancer. Dangers arise when
beryllium-containing materials are processed in a way that releases airborne
beryllium dust, fume, mist or other forms.
Beryllium is an essential component of nuclear weapons. To
date, the department has paid more
than $500 million in compensation to nearly 2,500 former or current nuclear
weapons workers who developed chronic beryllium disease after being exposed to
beryllium.
The majority of current worker exposures to beryllium occur
in operations such as foundry and smelting operations, machining, beryllium
oxide ceramics and composites manufacturing and dental lab work. The proposed
rule would not cover some workers exposed to trace amounts of beryllium in raw
materials, including those employed at coal-burning power plants and aluminum
production facilities, and those performing abrasive blasting work with coal
slag in the construction and shipyards industries. OSHA seeks comment during
the rulemaking on whether these workers should also be covered by the final
rule.
The proposed rule will be
published in the Aug. 7, 2015 issue of the Federal Register. Members of the
public may read the proposal and submit written comments here. Comments
must be submitted by Nov. 9, 2015. Additional information on the
proposed rule can be found here.
Under the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and
healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these
conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing
standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more
information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Laura McGinnis, 202-693-4653, mcginnis.laura.k@dol.gov Carrie Thomas, 202-693-4667, thomas.carrie.a@dol.gov
Release Number: 15-1376-NAT
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